Senet Group calls on whole industry to join 'When The Fun Stops, Stop' campaign

The betting industry's self-appointed watchdog the Senet Group has written to all the trade associations across the spectrum of the gambling sector calling on them to adopt its 'When the Fun Stops, Stop' campaign.

The group's chair Gillian Wilmot said that with the World Cup in Russia approaching it was the perfect time for the industry to unite behind the responsible gambling campaign.

The Senet Group's membership comprises William Hill, Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power Betfair, Sky Bet and Scotbet, which means the campaign is already carried by around 40 per cent of UK gambling companies as measured by sales revenues.

However, in writing to the heads of the organisations representing high street betting, casino, remote gambling, licensed arcades and bingo operators, the Senet Group has urged those companies not already carrying the messaging to incorporate it into its advertising and promotional channels.

Wilmot said: "The When the Fun Stops, Stop campaign has proved its ability to connect meaningfully with players and to help tackle problem gambling.

"Some seven weeks before the football World Cup kicks off in Russia, during which an estimated £1 billion will be wagered in the UK on the competition, the gambling industry has an opportunity to demonstrate its global leadership in self-regulation by uniting behind a powerful responsible messaging campaign that is shown to have excellent engagement levels."

The call was supported by Marc Etches, chief executive of the charity GambleAware.

GambleAware CEO Mark Etches: industry-wide collaboration essential

He said: "We believe that effective collaboration by the industry to promote safer gambling is essential to prevent gambling-related harms.

"GambleAware is leading a new national safer gambling campaign and we are pleased to be working with the Senet Group, the industry and others to build upon and learn from the success of existing campaigns."